Child carrying device

ABSTRACT

A child carrying device for carrying a child over a user&#39;s shoulders, comprising: a foldable support frame, a child seat support for seating the child into the carrying device, a user back harness for strapping the user onto the user&#39;s shoulders and torso, detachably affixed to the support frame by a load lifter mechanism, and a user hipbelt for transferring a portion of the carried weight or the child&#39;s weight onto the user&#39;s hip or waist which further comprises an attachment mechanism for providing adjustable adjoining location to allow the support frame to rest on or attach to, wherein the carrying device is configured to distribute the carried child&#39;s weight onto the user&#39;s shoulders and torso and the user&#39;s hip or waist.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a child carrying device for carrying achild by a user on the user's shoulders. More particularly the presentinvention relates to a carrier with a foldable support frame attached toa length-adjustable hipbelt capable of transferring and placing asignificant portion of the carried child's weight onto the user's hip orwaist, and the carrying device is designed to accommodate users ofdifferent torso length.

BACKGROUND

Child carrying devices have been developed wherein the child ispositioned onto a user's shoulders using frame like structures strappedonto the user's back, however these existing carrying devices often haveflaws and are less than optimum. Applicant herein realizes the followingareas of improvements need to be addressed by an optimum child carryingdevice:

(1) Because seating the child on top of the user's shoulders placessignificant amount of weight and causes major strain on the user'sshoulders, it would be highly beneficial if the carrying device iscapable of distributing and transferring a portion of the carriedchild's weight onto the user's hip or waist.

(2) Different users may have different height and torso length, it iscrucial that such carrying device is designed to accommodate differentheight and torso length.

(3) Users may frequently stop, carrying and unloading the child, suchcarrying device ideally should be easily portable and easily stored.

(4) Users may want to carry additional weight and an optimum carryingdevice should be configured to accommodate additional loads easily.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a child carrying device for carrying achild over a user's shoulders. More particularly, the present inventionattempts to address the above identified deficiencies of existing childcarrying devices.

In one aspect, the child carrying device for carrying a child mayinclude the a foldable support frame adapted to provide a means tosupport the entire carrying device, a child seat support adapted tosecurely hold the child, a user back harness with a load liftermechanism adapted to comfortably strap the carrying device onto theuser's shoulders and torso, and a user hipbelt secured about the user'ship or waist and is adapted to provide a selectable adjoining locationwhich lower ends of the support frame rest on or attach to, receivingand transferring a significant portion of the carried weight onto theuser's hip or waist.

In one aspect, the foldable support frame comprises an upper and a lowerportion joined by a folding mechanism, whereas the folding mechanismallows the upper portion of the support frame to extend away from thelower portion into a deployed state of the carrying device and allowsthe upper portion to fold towards the back side to meet the lowerportion into a folded state of the carrying device. This allows thecarrying device to transition between a deployed state and a foldedstate that makes the carrying device portable, easily stored, andconserving space when the carrying device is not in use. Further, insome implementations, the length of the lower portion of the supportframe may be extendable to further accommodate users of different torsolength. For example, extensions may be attached or screwed onto the endsof the support frame to extend the length of the support frame thereforeto accommodate user with longer torso length.

In one aspect, the child seat support comprises a child back padding forsupporting the child's back, a child seat padding for seating the child,and a length-adjustable child safety strap for securing the child intothe child seat support. The child back padding may be attached to theupper portion of the support frame by removably enclosing the upperportion of the support frame, which allows a portion of the child'sweight to be transferred onto the support frame. The child seat paddingmay be affixed to the child back padding, and the left and rightextension portions of the child seat padding may be configured to reston top of and be attached to a pair of user shoulder straps. Thisspatial arrangement may allow the child to be securely seated on top ofthe user's shoulders, and a portion of the child's weight to betransferred onto the user's shoulders and the support frame. In someimplementation, the child seat support may comprise additional securitystrap to provide additional security. In another implementation, thechild seat support may comprise a portable and collapsible sunshaderemovably attached to the child back padding and adapted to extend overthe child's head.

In one aspect, the user back harness comprises a user back paddingaffixed to a pair of user shoulder straps for harnessing the carryingdevice onto the user's shoulders and torso, a pair of child legrestraints, a user sternum strap, and a load lifter mechanism adapted todetachably fasten the user back harness onto the lower portion of thesupport frame below the child seat support. The user back padding andthe pair of user shoulder straps may be padded with breathable materialor fabric to provide optimum comfort and ventilation to the user whileusing the carrying device. The pair of user shoulder straps may comprisea pair of child leg restraints adapted to securely restrain the child'slegs to the front the user's shoulders and safely secure the child ontothe child seat support. The user sternum strap may be attached to thepair of user shoulder straps and adapted to extend across the user'schest at an adjustable length restraining the pair of user shoulderstraps from moving sideways.

In one aspect, the child seat padding is configured to rest on top ofthe user back harness, and the left and right extension portions of thechild seat support may be configured to rest on top of and be attachedto the pair of user shoulder straps. This spatial configuration betweenthe child seat support and the user back harness limits and restrainsthe child's legs to the front of the user's shoulders, providingadditional security while the child is secured into the seat.

In one aspect, a load lifter mechanism securely attached to the supportframe is provided for detachably fastening the user back harness of thecarrying device to the support frame of the carrying device. In someimplementations, the load lifter mechanism comprises a left member and aright member that are securely affixed to the support frame. When theuser is carrying a child using the device, the child exerts a downwardgravitational force onto the carrying device, a portion of which istransferred directly on the carrying device's shoulders, and anotherportion is exerted onto the support frame. The portion of the downwardgravitational force exerted on the support frame can be separated intotwo force components. One force component travels downward along thesupport frame to be counter balanced by a force exerted on the supportframe by the user hipbelt. Another force component is directed towardsthe back and is counter balanced by a pulling force exerted by the userback harness via the load lifter mechanism. The load lifter mechanismmay further contain a locking mechanism so that during its locked state,the user back harness is securely and safely fastened or hooked onto theload lifter mechanism by for example a strip, and during its unlockedstate, the user back harness may be detached from the load liftermechanism. The load lifter mechanism may be configured in such a waythat it may be used as an attachment point attaching additional weightonto the support frame via an attachment mechanism such as aself-locking hook.

In one aspect, a user hipbelt is provided for receiving and transferringa significant portion of the carried weight from the support frame ontothe user's hip or waist. The hipbelt may comprise an attachmentmechanism affixed to the back side of the hipbelt for providingadjoining locations which allow lower ends of the support frame to reston, and a safety strap affixed to the hipbelt for tightening the hipbeltabout the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length. Notably, theattachment mechanism may contain multiple sockets, opening slits, orother similar attachment means that are vertically spaced on the hipbeltto allow users to selectively choose an adjoining location in order toaccommodate users of different torso length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given below and from the accompany figures. Thefigures are intended to disclose but a few possible examples of thepresent invention, and thus do not limit the present invention's scope.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of an example child carrying device forcarrying a child over a user's shoulders.

FIG. 1B illustrates a back view of the example child carrying device ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of an example foldable support frame ofthe child carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of the example foldable support frame ofthe child carrying device of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example folding mechanism of the foldable supportframe of the child carrying device in accordance with certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of an example child seat support of thechild carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a back view of the example child seat support ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A illustrates a front view of an example user back harness of thechild carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates a back view of the example user back harness of thechild carrying device of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of an example user hipbelt of the childcarrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6B illustrates a back view of the example user hipbelt of the childcarrying device of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 illustrates the child carrying device in use by a user carrying achild.

FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of the child carrying device in thecarrying device's deployed state with additional load in the form ofbackpack attached to the carrying device.

FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of the additional load in the form ofbackpack.

FIG. 8C illustrates a back view of the child carrying device in thecarrying device's deployed state.

FIG. 8D illustrates a side view of the child carrying device in thecarrying device's folded state.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the child carrying device in thecarrying device's deployed state with additional load attached in theform of backpack.

FIG. 10A illustrates a back view of the child carrying device in thecarrying device's deployed state.

FIG. 10B illustrates an additional load in the form of backpack that canbe attached to the child carrying device.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the child carrying device in thecarrying device's folded state.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the child carrying device in thecarrying device's folded state with additional load attached in the formof backpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view 100A of an example child carryingdevice for carrying a child over a user's shoulders. FIG. 1B illustratesa back view 100B of the example child carrying device of FIG. 1A. FIGS.2 to 6 illustrate different components of the example child carryingdevice. More specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates a front view 200A of anexample foldable support frame of the child carrying device inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2Billustrates a side view 200B of the example foldable support frame ofthe child carrying device of FIG. 2a . FIG. 3 shows an example foldingmechanism of the foldable support frame of the child carrying device inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4Aillustrates a front view 400A of an example child seat support of thechild carrying device in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent invention. FIG. 4B illustrates a back view 400B of the examplechild seat support of FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A illustrates a front view 500A ofan example user back harness of the child carrying device in accordancewith certain embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5B illustrates aback view 500B of the example user back harness of the child carryingdevice of FIG. 5A. FIG. 6A illustrates a front view 600A of an exampleuser hipbelt of the child carrying device in accordance with certainembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 6B illustrates a back view600B of the example user hipbelt of the child carrying device of FIG.6A.

FIGS. 7 to 12 illustrate different states of the example child carryingdevice, with and without the carried child, and with and withoutadditional load in the form of backpack attached to the carrying device.More specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the child carryingdevice while in use by the user carrying the child. FIG. 8A illustratesa side view 800A of the child carrying device in the carrying device'sdeployed state with additional load in the form of backpack attached tothe carrying device. FIG. 8B illustrates a side view 800B of theadditional load in the form of backpack. FIG. 8C illustrates a back view800C of the child carrying device in the carrying device's deployedstate. FIG. 8D illustrates a side view 800D of the child carrying devicein the carrying device's folded state. FIG. 9 illustrates the side viewof the child carrying device in the carrying device's deployed statewith additional load in the form of backpack attached to the carryingdevice. FIG. 10A illustrates a back view 1000A of the child carryingdevice in the carrying device's deployed state. FIG. 10B illustrates anadditional load in the form of backpack 1000B that can be attached tothe child carrying device. FIG. 11 illustrates the side view of thechild carrying device in the carrying device's folded state without anyadditional load attached. FIG. 12 illustrates the side view of the childcarrying device in the carrying device's folded state with additionalload in the form of backpack attached to the carrying device.

The example child carrying device 100 (shown in FIGS. 1A-1B) may includea foldable support frame 102 (shown in FIG. 1B), a child seat support104, a user back harness 106, and a user hipbelt 108.

Foldable Support Frame

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an example foldable support frame 200A-200B thatcan be used as the foldable support frame 102 of FIG. 1B. The supportframe 200A-200B includes an upper portion 202 and a lower portion 204joined by a folding mechanism 206.

The upper portion 202 forms a U-shaped structure 208 having two ends, afirst end 214 and a second end 216. In other implementation, the upperportion may be any suitable structure such as a solid board or paddingwith a U-shaped outer edge.

The lower portion 204 comprises two elongated tubular structures, afirst elongated tubular structure 210 and a second elongated tubularstructure 212, whereas the first elongated tubular structure 210comprises a third end 218 and a fourth end 220, and the second elongatedtubular structure 212 comprises a fifth end 222 and a sixth end 224. Thelength of the first and the second elongated tubular structures may beconfigured to be adjustable, in order to accommodate users of variousheight and particularly of various torso length. In one implementation,the first and the second elongated tubular structures may comprise alength-adjustable rod twisting either clockwise or counterclockwise toeither extend or shorten the length of the first and the secondelongated tubular structures. In another implementation, the first andthe second elongated tubular structures may comprise attachableextensions at the fourth end and the sixth end to extend the length ofthe first and the second elongated tubular structures.

The folding mechanism 206 joins the upper portion 202 and the lowerportion 204 of the support frame 200A-200B and allows the upper portion202 to extend and fold from the lower portion 204. Specifically, thefolding mechanism 206 comprises a first member 226 and a second member228, joining the first end 214 of the upper portion 202 to the third end218 of the first elongated tubular structure 210, and joining the secondend 216 of the upper portion 202 to the fifth end 222 of the secondelongated tubular structure 228, respectively.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example folding mechanism member 300 that can beused as a first member 226 or second member 228 of the folding mechanism206 of FIGS. 2A-2B. The folding mechanism member 300 may comprise 1) anarrower-diameter portion 306, located at the first end 214 or thesecond end 216 of the upper portion 202 of the support frame 200A-200B;2) a hollow recess 308 placed at the end 314 of elongated tubularstructure 304, where the elongated tubular structure 304 can be thefirst elongated tubular structure 210 or the second elongated tubularstructure 212 of FIGS. 2A-2B, and the end 314 can be the third end 218or the fifth end 222 of the first elongated tubular structure 210 andthe second elongated structure 212 of FIGS. 2A-2B, respectively; and 3)a pull-out unit spring 310, with its one end fixedly attached to theinner surface of the hollow recess 308 and with its other end fixedlyattached to the narrower-diameter portion 306.

During the deployed state of the carrying device (as shown in FIG. 8A),the folding mechanism 300 is in its relaxed state, holding the pull-outunit spring 310 and narrower-diameter portion 306 within the hollowrecess 308 of the elongated tubular structure 304, allowing the upperportion of the support frame to extend away from the lower portion ofthe support frame.

During the folded state of the carrying device (as shown in FIG. 8D),the folding mechanism 300 is in its pull-out state, extending andexposing its pivot point 316 and the narrower-diameter portion 306 tothe outside of the hollow recess 308, allowing the upper portion of thesupport frame to pivot towards the back side of the support frame tomeet the lower portion of the support frame.

Child Seat Support

Better illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, the child seat support 400A-400B(e.g. child seat support 104 of FIGS. 1A-1B) of the child carryingdevice for holding a child, comprising a child back padding 402 forsupporting the child's back, a child seat padding 404 for seating thechild, and a child safety strap 406 that is length adjustable forsecuring the child into the child seat support 400.

The child back padding 402 further comprises an upper edge 408, a loweredge 410, a left edge 412, and a right edge 414. The child back padding402 is adapted to support the child's back onto the child seat support400 and transfer a portion of the child's weight onto the support frame432. In some implementations, the child back padding 402 may removablyenclose the upper portion of the support frame in a snugly fashion andsecurely transfer a portion of the child's weight onto the support frame432 through the upper edge 408 of the child back padding 402. In anotherimplementation, the child back padding 402 may be affixed to the upperportion (not labeled) of the support frame 432 onto its outer edges(including the upper edge 408, the left edge 412, and the right edge414) and transfer a portion of the child's weight onto the support framethrough the upper edge 408, the left edge 412 and the right edge 414 ofthe child back padding 402. In some implementations, the child backpadding 402 may be made with breathable fabric, rigid enough to provideback support and soft enough to provide comfort to the child whileseated in the child seat support 400. In some implementation, the childseat support 400 may comprise a pair of added security strap (not shown)attached to the left edge 412 and the right edge 414 below the childsafety strap 406, adapted for the child safety strap 406 to loop aroundand to provide additional security. In some implementations, the childseat support 400 may comprise a portable and collapsible sunshade (notshown), removably attached to the child back padding 402, and adapted toextend over the child's head to provide coverage and shade during sunexposure.

The child seat padding 404, comprising an upper edge 422 and a loweredge 424, is adapted for seating the child and to transfer a portion ofthe child's weight onto the child back padding 402 and the user'sshoulders.

The upper edge 422 of the child seat padding 404 is securely attached tothe lower edge 410 of the child back padding 402, allowing a portion ofthe child's weight placed on the child seat padding 404 transferred tothe child back padding 402. In one implementation, the child backpadding 402 and the child seat padding 404 may be one uniform piece ofmaterial or fabric. In another implementation, the child back padding402 and the child seat padding 404 may be two separate pieces of fabricor material affixed or sewed together.

The lower edge 424 of the child seat padding 404 may further comprise aleft extension portion 416 and a right extension portion 418, forming anopen space 420 in between the left extension portion 416 and the rightextension portion 418, adapted to provide movable space for the user'sneck. In some implementations, the open space formed between the leftand right extension portion, 416 and 418, respectively, may besemi-circularly shaped to suitably fit around the user's neck. Asfurther discussed below, the left extension portion 416 and the rightextension portion 418 of the child seat padding 404 may rest on top ofand be removably attached to a pair of user shoulder straps (504 FIGS.5A-5B) as of the user back harness (500 of FIG. 5) at an adjustablelength. This spatial relationship of the child seat support 400 with theuser back harness 500 limits the child's legs to be placed in front ofthe user's shoulders thus providing added security to the seated child.

The child safety strap 406, comprising a first strap 426 and a secondstrap 428 capable of releasably engaged to each other, is adapted tosecurely strap the child into the child seat support 400 at anadjustable length. In one implementation, each of the first strap 426and the second strap 428 is attached to and extended from the left edge412 and the right edge 414 of the child back padding 402 respectively onone end, and releasably connected to each other on the other end at anadjustable length. In another implementation, the first strap 426 andthe second strap 428 each may have a buckle member 430, where the bucklemember 430 can releasably engage to each other. In some implementation,an added security strap (not shown) may be attached to the left edge 412and the right edge 414 of the child back padding, adapted for the firststrap 426 and the second strap 428 of the child safety strap 406 to looparound to provide added security.

User Back Harness

As better illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B, the user back harness 500A-500B(e.g. user back harness 106 of FIGS. 1A-1B) of the child carryingdevice, is adapted for comfortably strapping the child carrying deviceonto the user and may be affixed to the support frame below the childseat support. The user back harness 500A-500B comprises a user backpadding 502, a pair of user shoulder straps 504, and a load liftermechanism 506 for detachably securing the user back harness onto thesupport frame.

The user back padding 502 forms the back portion of the user backharness and is securely and detachably fastened or hooked onto the loadlifter mechanism 506 with for example a fabric strip, and the loadlifter mechanism 506 is securely affixed to the lower portion (notlabeled) of the support frame (not labeled). In some implementations,the user back padding 502 is padded with breathable material or fabricto provide optimum comfort and ventilation to the user while using thecarrying device.

The pair of user shoulder straps 504 forms the front portion of the userback harness 500 and is affixed to the user back padding 502 at itsupper edge (not labeled), adapted to harness the carrying device ontothe user's shoulders and torso. The pair of user shoulder straps 504further comprises a pair of child leg restraint 512 and a user sternumstrap 516. The pair of child leg restraint 512 may be adapted forremovably securing the child's legs onto the pair of user shoulderstraps 504, and in one implementation, the pair of child leg restraint512 may be releasable straps affixed to the pair of user shoulder straps504 at its lower section (not labeled). The user sternum strap 516 maybe adapted to extend across the user's chest at an adjustable length andrestrain the pair of user shoulder straps 504 from sliding sideways. Insome implementations, the user sternum strap 516 comprises a leftsternum member 518 and a right sternum member 520, each connected to itsrespective shoulder strap on one end, and releasably connected to eachother on the other end. In some implementations, the pair of usershoulder straps 504 is padded with breathable material or fabric toprovide optimum comfort and ventilation to the user while using thecarrying device.

The load lifter mechanism 506 comprises a left member 508 and a rightmember 510 that are securely affixed to the first elongated tubularstructure (not labeled) and the second elongated tubular structure (notlabeled) respectively, while the user back harness 500 may be securelyand detachably fastened to the left member 508 and the right member 510of the load lifter mechanism through for example a fabric strip.

As better shown in FIG. 7, when the user is carrying a child using thecarrying device, the child exerts a downward gravitational force ontothe carrying device, a portion of which is transferred directly on thecarrying device's shoulders, and another portion is exerted onto thesupport frame. The portion of the downward gravitational force exertedon the support frame can be separated into two force components. Oneforce component travels downward along the support frame to be counterbalanced by a force exerted on the support frame by the user hipbelt.Another force component is directed towards the back and is counterbalanced by a pulling force exerted by the user back harness via theload lifter mechanism. The load lifter mechanism may further contain alocking mechanism so that during its locked state, the user back harnessis securely and safely fastened or hooked onto the load lifter mechanismby for example a strip, and during its unlocked state, the user backharness may be detached from the load lifter mechanism.

The load lifter mechanism may comprise a locking mechanism so thatduring its locked state, the user back harness 500 is securely andsafely fastened or hooked onto the load lifter mechanism 506, and thelocking mechanism is configured to prevent the user back harness 500from unintentionally detaching from the support frame (not labeled).During the its unlocked state, the user back harness 500 may be detachedfrom the load lifter mechanism 506 and thus be removed from the supportframe. In one example, the locking mechanism may be a “J” shapedstructure placed horizontally, the interior space of the tip of the “J”shape is so small that the fabric strip of the user back harness oncehooked, cannot be removed without user intentionally detaching the stripfrom the locking mechanism. In another example, the locking mechanismmay be a circular self-locking hook, where the opening faces theopposite direction of the pull, thus the strip of the user back harnessonce hooked and locked into the load lifter mechanism, cannot be removedwithout user's intentionally removing the strip from the lockingmechanism. The load lifter mechanism may be configured in such a waythat it may be used as a point of attachment for attaching additionalweight onto the support frame via an attachment mechanism such as aself-locking hook.

The user back harness is secured to the support frame underneath thechild seat support. The child seat padding sits on top of the pair ofuser shoulder straps. The left and right extension portions of the childseat padding lie on top of and may be detachably attached to therespective shoulder straps. This spatial relationship between the childseat support and the user back harness limits and restrains the child'slegs to the front of the user's shoulders, providing additional securitywhile the child is seated in the carrying device.

User Hipbelt

As better illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, the example user hipbelt (e.g.user hipbelt 106 of FIGS. 1A-1B) of the child carrying device, securedabout the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length for providingadjoining location 614 which the lower ends of the support frame rest onor attach to, and for receiving and transferring a significant portionof the carried weight from the support frame onto the user's hip orwaist. The user hipbelt 600 comprises a belt 602 for securing about auser's hip or waist at adjustable length, attachment mechanism 604 forproviding adjoining location which the lower ends of the support framerest on or attach to, and a safety strap 606 for tightening andadjusting the length of the belt around the user's hip.

The attachment mechanism 604 comprises a left member 608 and a rightmember 610 affixed to the back side of the belt and is adapted toprovide the adjoining location 614 which lower ends of the support framerest on or attach to. The adjoining location which lower ends of thesupport frame rest on or attach to may be selectively adjusted toaccommodate users of different torso length.

In one implementation, the left member and the right member of theattachment mechanism may each comprise multiple sockets or opening slitsvertically aligned and affixed to the back side of the belt, and user ofthe user carrier may selectively insert the lower end of the supportframe into any one of the multiple sockets or opening slits to adjustthe distance or length of the support frame corresponding to the user'storso length. For example, the left member and the right member of theattachment mechanism may each contain three or multiple sockets oropening slits vertically aligned and affixed to the belt, with onesocket or opening slit affixed on the higher end of the belt, one socketor opening slit vertically aligned and affixed on the lower end of thebelt, and another socket or opening slit vertically aligned and affixedin between; user of the user carrier may selectively insert the lowerends of the support frame into the higher sockets or opening slits togenerate a shorter distance or length of the support frame correspondingto the user's torso length to accommodate a user of a relatively shortertorso length; alternatively user of the carrying device may selectivelyinsert the lower ends of the support frame into the lower sockets oropening slits to generate a longer distance or length of the supportframe corresponding to the user's torso length to accommodate a user ofa relatively longer torso length.

In another implementation, the left member and the right member of theattachment mechanism may each comprise location-adjustable sockets oropening slits which the lower ends of the support frame insert into torest on or attach to, with the exact insertion point and adjoininglocation adjustable. For example, the left member and the right memberof the attachment mechanism may contain vertical opening slits affixedto the belt with a zip-locking mechanism, and user of the user mayadjust the length of the opening with the zip-locking mechanism to inorder to adjust the adjoining location which the lower ends of thesupport frame insert into to rest on or attach to. Customizing theadjoining location to be higher on the belt may generate a shorterdistance or length of the support frame corresponding to the user'storso length, to accommodate an user of shorter torso length,alternatively, customizing the adjoining location to be lower on thebelt may generate a longer distance or length of the support framecorresponding to the user's torso length, to accommodate an user oflonger torso length.

In some implementations, the left member and the right member of theattachment mechanism may contain length-adjustable extension screwswhich the lower ends of the support frame may screw onto and be attachedto the hipbelt. In another implementation, the support frame may beconfigured to be extended in length, as discussed above. The extensionmay lengthen the support frame which is configured to furtheraccommodate users of longer torso length.

The safety strap 606 is affixed to a distal portion of the belt at itsfront side at an adjustable length, adapted to extend across the user'sabdominal and tensioning the belt about the user's hip or waist suchthat the provided tension secures and tightens the belt around theuser's hip or waist at an adjustable length. In one implementation, thesafety strap may contain a first strap and a second strap, each affixedto the respective side of the belt on one end and releasably engaged toeach other on the other end.

FIG. 7 illustrates the example child carrier device in use by a carrierwhile carrying a. child. The child seat support 104 holds the carriedchild and is detachably secured to the top of the support frame 102. Thecarrier back harness 106 straps the device onto the carrier's shouldersor torso; and the carrier hipbelt 108 secures about the carrier's hip orwaist, of which lower ends of the support frame attach and rest on to.When the device is in use with a seated child, the child sits back intothe child seat support and leans into the support frame, exerting adiagonally downward force. The current carrier device is configured totransfer the carried child's weight to the carrier's shoulders, torso,and hip or waist, of which the below embodiment below further discuss.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate the child carrier device in the device's deployedstate and folded state along with additional load in the form ofbackpack attached to the device. During the device's deployed state, theupper portion 202 extends away from the lower portion 204 of the supportframe. During the device's folded state, the upper portion 202 pivots atthe folding mechanism and folds toward the lower portion 204 of thesupport frame.

FIG. 9 further illustrates one implementation of the child carrierdevice 100A-100B of FIG. 1A-1B in the device's deployed state withadditional load in the form of a backpack attached to the device.According to an embodiment herein, the additional load in the form ofthe backpack is attached to the child carrying device 100A-100B in thedeployed state. FIG. 10A illustrates a back view 1000A of the examplechild carrying device 100 of FIGS. 1A-1B in the device's deployed state.In an embodiment, the foldable support frame includes an upper portionand a lower portion joined by a folding mechanism, whereas the foldingmechanism allows the upper portion of the support frame to extend awayfrom the lower portion into a deployed state of the child carryingdevice and allows the upper portion to fold towards the back side tomeet the lower portion into a folded state of the carrying device. Thisallows the carrying device to transition between a deployed state and afolded state that makes the carrying device portable, easily stored, andconserving space when the carrying device is not in use. FIG. 10Billustrates an additional load in the form of backpack 1000B that can beattached to the child carrying device 100 of FIGS. 1A-1B. In anembodiment, the present child carrying device facilitates the users tocarry additional loads and an optimum carrying device is configured toaccommodate additional loads easily. FIG. 11 illustrates the side viewof the child carrying device 100A-100B of FIGS. 1A-1B in the device'sfolded state without any additional load attached. The easyconfiguration of the carrying device allows the user to transition thecarrying device between a deployed state and the folded state that makesthe carrying device portable, easily stored, and conserving space whenthe carrying device is not in use. FIG. 12 illustrates the side view ofthe child carrying device 100A-100B of FIGS. 1A-1B in the device'sfolded state with additional load in the form of backpack attached tothe carrying device. According to an embodiment herein, the additionalload in the form of the backpack is attached to the child carryingdevice 100A-100B in the folded state.

In this description, the directional prepositions of upper, lower, upperedge, lower edge, left, right, left edge, right edge, front, back, frontside, back side, downward, diagonally downward and other such termsrefer to the direction of the carrying device from the perspective of auser wearing the carrying device. The prepositions are used forconvenience only and are not intended to be limiting or to imply thatthe carrying device has to be used or positioned in any particularorientation.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” andsimilar referents in the context of describing the invention (especiallyin the context of the following claims) are to be construed to coverboth the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein orcontradicted by the context. The terms “comprising,” “having,”“including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms(i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.No language in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

It is noted and anticipated that although the child carrying device isshown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of thecarrying device may be differently shaped or slightly modified whenforming the invention herein. As such, those skilled in the art willappreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosureor merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within theoverall scope and intent of the intention, and are not to be consideredlimiting in any manner.

While various embodiments have been described, other embodiments areplausible. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions ofvarious examples of a child carrying device are not intended to belimiting, and any number of modifications, combinations, andalternatives of the examples may be employed.

The examples described herein are merely illustrative, as numerous otherembodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. Moreover, while certain features of theinvention may be described above only in the context of certain examplesor configurations, these features may be exchanged, added, and removedfrom and between the various embodiments or configurations whileremaining within the scope of the invention.

1. A child carrying device for carrying a child over a user's shoulders,comprising: a foldable support frame; a child seat support for securinga child on a user's shoulders, wherein the child seat support isattached to the foldable support frame; and a user hipbelt to secureabout the user's hip or waist, wherein the user hipbelt comprising anattachment mechanism for providing an adjustable adjoining location toallow the foldable support frame to attach to the user hipbelt toaccommodate the user's torso length; wherein the carrying device isconfigured to transfer a portion of the child's weight from the childseat support to the foldable support frame, from the foldable supportframe to the user hipbelt, and from the user hipbelt to the user's hipor waist, wherein the child seat support comprises a child back paddingfor supporting the child's back, a child seat padding for seating thechild, and a length-adjustable child safety strap for strapping thechild into the child seat support at an adjustable length, wherein thechild seat support comprises a portable and collapsible sunshaderemovably attached to the child back padding, and adapted to extend overthe child's head to provide coverage and shade during sun exposure. 2.The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the foldable support framecomprising an upper portion and a lower portion joined by a foldingmechanism; and the foldable support frame comprises a front side and aback side, wherein folding mechanism is configured to allow the upperportion of the foldable support frame to extend away from the lowerportion into a deployed state and to fold towards the back side into afolded state.
 3. The carrying device of claim 2, wherein the upperportion of the foldable support frame comprises a U-shaped tubularstructure, and the lower portion of the foldable support frame comprisesa first elongated tubular structure and a second elongated tubularstructure.
 4. The carrying device of claim 2, wherein the foldingmechanism comprises a first member and a second member, wherein eachmember comprising (1) a hollow recess, (2) a narrower-diameter portion,and (3) a pull-out unit spring, wherein the pull-out unit spring isfixedly attached to an inner surface of the hollow recess at one end andfixedly attached to the narrower-diameter portion at the other end, andwhen at its relaxed state holds the narrower-diameter portion within thehollow recess, and when at its pull-out state extends thenarrower-diameter portion to the outside of the hollow recess configuredto allow the upper portion of the foldable support frame to pivottowards the back side of the foldable support frame.
 5. The carryingdevice of claim 1, wherein the user hipbelt further comprises a belt forsecuring about the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length, anattachment mechanism for providing an adjustable adjoining location toallow the lower ends of the foldable support frame to rest on or attachto, and a safety strap for securing and tightening the belt about theuser's hip or waist at an adjustable length.
 6. (canceled)
 7. Thecarrying device of claim 1, wherein the child carrying device furthercomprises a user back harness for strapping the carrying device onto theuser's shoulders and torso.
 8. A child carrying device for carrying achild over a user's shoulders, comprising: a foldable support frame; achild seat support attached to the foldable support frame, the childseat support comprising a child back padding for supporting the child'sback, a child seat padding for seating the child, a user back harnessfor strapping the child carrying device onto the user's shoulders andtorso; and a load lifter mechanism attached to the foldable supportframe for detachably fastening the user back harness onto the foldablesupport frame; wherein when the child is seated in the carrying deviceexerting a diagonally downward force, the load lifter mechanism isconfigured to pull onto the user back harness horizontally, wherein whenthe child is seated in the carrying device exerting a diagonallydownward force, the carrying device is configured to transfer a portionof the child's weight from the child seat support to the foldablesupport frame, from the foldable support frame subsequently to the userback harness through the load lifter mechanism, wherein the child seatsupport comprises a length-adjustable child safety strap for strappingthe child into the child seat support at an adjustable length, whereinthe child seat support comprises a portable and collapsible sunshaderemovably attached to the child back padding, and adapted to extend overthe child's head to provide coverage and shade during sun exposure. 9.The carrying device of claim 8, wherein the load lifter mechanismcomprising (1) a left member affixed onto a first elongated tubularstructure of the foldable support frame, and (2) a right member affixedonto a second elongated tubular structure of the foldable support frame.10. The carrying device of claim 8, wherein the user back harness of thechild carrying device is detachably fastened onto the left member andthe right member of the load lifter mechanism.
 11. The carrying deviceof claim 8, wherein the user back harness comprises (1) a user backpadding, (2) a pair of user shoulder straps, (3) a pair of legrestraints for restraining the carried child's legs onto the pair ofuser shoulder straps, and (4) a user sternum strap adapted to secure thepair of user shoulder straps onto the user's torso and to prevent thepair of user shoulder straps from moving sideways.
 12. The carryingdevice of claim 8, wherein the child carrying device further comprises auser hipbelt secured about the user's hip or waist and comprising anattachment mechanism for providing an adjustable adjoining location toallow the foldable support frame to rest on or attach to the userhipbelt to accommodate the user's torso length.
 13. A child carryingdevice for carrying a child over a user's shoulders, comprising: afoldable support frame comprising an upper portion and a lower portionjoined by a folding mechanism; wherein the foldable support framecomprises a front side and a back side, and the folding mechanism isconfigured to allow the upper portion of the foldable support frame toextend away from the lower portion into a deployed state and to foldtowards the back side into a folded state; wherein the upper portion ofthe foldable support frame comprises a U-shaped tubular structure, andthe lower portion of the foldable support frame comprises a firstelongated tubular structure and a second elongated tubular structure;wherein the folding mechanism comprises a first member and a secondmember, wherein each member comprising (1) a hollow recess, (2) anarrower-diameter portion, and (3) a pull-out unit spring, wherein thepull-out unit spring is fixedly attached to an inner surface of thehollow recess at one end and fixedly attached to the narrower-diameterportion at the other end, and when at its relaxed state holds thenarrower-diameter portion within the hollow recess, and when at itspull-out state extends the narrower-diameter portion to the outside ofthe hollow recess configured to allow the upper portion of the foldablesupport frame to pivot towards the back side of the foldable supportframe; a child seat support comprising a child back padding forsupporting the child's back, a child seat padding for seating the child,and a length-adjustable child safety strap for strapping the child intothe child seat support at an adjustable length, wherein the child seatsupport comprises a portable and collapsible sunshade removably attachedto the child back padding, and adapted to extend over the child's headto provide coverage and shade during sun exposure; wherein the childback padding comprising an upper edge and a lower edge, the child backpadding is adapted to removably enclose the upper portion of thefoldable support frame and transfer a portion of the child's weight ontothe foldable support frame via the upper edge; wherein the child seatpadding comprising an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge of thechild seat padding is affixed to the lower edge of the child backpadding so that a portion of the child's weight placed on the child seatpadding is at least in part transferred to the foldable support framevia the child back padding; wherein the lower edge of the child seatpadding defines a left extension portion, a right extension portion anda semi-circular open space in between the left extension portion and theright extension portion, wherein the semi-circular open space provides amovable space for the user's neck; a user back harness for strapping thechild carrying device onto the user's shoulders and torso and isdetachably affixed to the foldable support frame below the child seatsupport by a load lifter mechanism affixed to the foldable supportframe, wherein the user back harness comprising (1) a user back padding,(2) a pair of user shoulder straps, (3) a pair of leg restraints forrestraining the carried child's legs onto the pair of user shoulderstraps, and (4) a user sternum strap adapted to secure the pair of usershoulder straps onto the user's torso and to prevent the pair of usershoulder straps from moving sideways; and a user hipbelt fortransferring a portion of the carried weight or the child's weight ontothe user's hip or waist, the user hipbelt comprising a belt for securingabout the user's hip or waist at an adjustable length, an attachmentmechanism for providing an adjustable adjoining location to allow thelower ends of the foldable support frame to rest on or attach to, and asafety strap for securing and tightening the belt about the user's hipor waist at an adjustable length.